Unconventional variation on game of chess

ABSTRACT

A board game roughly similar to chess, but having unconventional game elements, is shown and described. The identities of all playing pieces except a king are initially concealed, and revealed after making an initial move. The initial move is predetermined, and changes if the revealed identity differs from a corresponding pre-assigned identity. Move characteristics of the playing pieces are varied in most cases from their counterparts in conventional chess. The king may not leave a certain area of the board, and is not permitted to face an opposed king without presence of an intervening playing piece. A new playing piece with unique move requirements is introduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 17/125,620, which has a filing date of Dec. 17, 2020, the contents of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games, and more particularly to board games such as chess.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chess is a board game in which two opponents each have a plurality of playing pieces on a board. The goal of the game is to entrap the opponent's king. This is performed by advantageously moving one's own playing pieces, with consideration given to potential responsive moves by the opponent.

In theory, chess is a game of pure skill. That is, chess requires knowledge of allowed moves by each type of playing piece, plus the ability to foresee one's own potential moves and the opponent's potential moves. When the two opponents are relatively evenly matched in abilities, the game is usually held enjoyable by both opponents. However, when ability levels are relatively disparate, enjoyment of the game suffers. A need exists for a way to offset abilities of a superior player, so as to make games between unequals more enjoyable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived with an idea towards introducing an element of luck into otherwise generally conventional chess. This element of luck potentially evens chances of players of limited ability vis-à-vis players of greater ability. This is accomplished by departing from conventional chess practice, in which players of known identity are initially positioned on the playing board with their identities obvious to all. In the novel game, player pieces are placed on the board with their identities concealed in random positions. Thus, a playing piece may occupy an initial space conventionally occupied by a different type of playing piece. The true nature of the concealed pieces becomes known to the players in due course.

Simultaneously, the present invention seeks to offset the advantage of a superior player of greater seniority than a junior, lesser player. Notably, convention coloring of playing spaces on the playing board is eliminated. Accordingly, moves by playing pieces are modified such that occupancy of spaces of any particular color by a particular playing piece, which may be limited in the original game of chess, is allowed in the game of the present invention. Also, a zone established in the vicinity of the king in conventional chess imposes new requirements and situations in the novel game, compared to conventional chess.

Also, moves are varied from those of conventional chess, new pieces are incorporated, and the number of pieces is varied as well.

The present invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a board according to the novel game, the board populated by playing pieces as they would appear immediately before a first move is made; and

FIG. 2 is a representation of a hypothetical layout of the pieces shown in FIG. 1, arrayed according to an arbitrary scheme roughly approximating initial layout of playing pieces in the conventional game of chess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a playing board 100, shown occupied by playing pieces 102. Most playing pieces 100 are shown in FIG. 1 inverted from a position they come to assume in play. This is done to conceal their actual identity at the start of the game, where identity refers to move characteristics of each playing piece 102. An exception to identity concealment is seen with king 104. King 104 is visually identified the entire duration of play. The remaining playing pieces 100 become visually identified upon being moved during the course of play.

FIG. 2 is a non-realistic, artificial representation of the identities of remaining playing pieces 100, shown in initial positions on playing board 100 if the novel game were played in the manner of conventional chess. In conventional chess, identity of playing pieces is never concealed, and the playing pieces are initially placed in a conventional array roughly similar to the depiction of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is presented herein only to introduce specific types of playing pieces 100, and to represent certain similarities to the conventional game of chess, to expedite understanding of the novel game.

In the novel game, playing pieces 100 include, in addition to king 104, the following: queens 106, bishops 108, knights 110, rooks 112, cannons 114, and pawns 116. It should be noted here that designation of playing pieces 100 as king 104, queens 106, bishops 108, knights 110, rooks 112, cannons 114, and pawns 116 is only for brevity and semantic convenience, and does not demand that such labels actually be applied. This also promotes quicker grasp of the novel principles by those accustomed to conventional chess. What truly distinguishes one playing piece 100 from another is move characteristics, and not semantic labeling.

In the novel game, playing pieces 100 are positioned with their identities concealed, as shown in FIG. 1, scrambled into a random order unknown to the game players, and placed on playing board 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The novel game includes a number of elements of conventional chess, as will become apparent, yet has new and unobvious departures from conventional chess.

The novel game may be thought of as a method of playing a board game, the method comprising a step of providing playing board 100 displaying a plurality of playing spaces 118 arrayed in ten ranks and nine columns orthogonally oriented to the ranks, such that playing board 100 has ninety playing spaces 118. Each playing space 118 is adjacent to at least two other playing spaces 118. The method further comprises providing a plurality of playing pieces 102 for use with the playing board 100. Each playing piece 102 is dimensioned and configured to occupy only one playing space 118 at any one time. Playing spaces 118 include for each player a predetermined zone 120 (FIG. 2) of nine said playing spaces 122 (FIG. 1), arrayed in a matrix of three spaces by three spaces. Each predetermined zone 120 abuts an edge 124 of playing board 100, and faces the other predetermined zone 120 of playing spaces 118.

The method includes providing a plurality of playing pieces 102 each to be placed initially on predetermined playing spaces (e.g., the array depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2) of playing board 100, and to move as play progresses from one playing space 118 to another playing space 118.

The method further includes, among playing pieces 102, providing one king 104 for each opponent and constraining each king 104 to move one playing space 118 and only one playing space 118 in a move along a rank or along one column (not diagonal). Each king 104 is constrained against leaving its respective predetermined zone 120 and is constrained against facing an opposed king 104 unless another playing piece 102 intervenes between kings 104.

The method includes providing two queens 106 for each opponent and constraining each queen 106 to move only diagonally relative to the ranks and columns a distance of one playing space 118 for each move.

The method includes providing two bishops 108 for each opponent and constraining each bishop 108 to move only diagonally relative to the ranks and columns a distance of two playing spaces 118 for each move. Bishops 108 are constrained against jumping over any playing pieces when moving.

The method includes providing two rooks 112 for each opponent and constraining each rook 112 to move any number of playing spaces 118, only along any one rank or along any one column during any one move.

The method includes providing two cannons 114 for each opponent and constraining each cannon 114 to move any number of playing spaces 118, only along any one rank or along any one column during any one move. Any attack move by cannon 114 requires a jump over one other playing piece (and not more than one playing piece) 118.

The method includes providing two knights 110 for each opponent and constraining each knight 110 to move a distance of two playing spaces 118 along a rank and a distance of one playing space 118 along a column, or alternatively, constraining knight 110 to move a distance of two playing spaces 118 along a column and a distance of one playing space 118 along a rank, essentially forming the shape of a “L”. Knights 110 are constrained against moving if the resulting move would require the knight to “jump over” any intervening playing piece 102 occupying the first space of the long leg of the “L”.

The method includes providing five pawns 116 for each opponent and constraining each pawn 116 to move one playing space 118 forwardly along a column until that pawn 116 has entered a playing space 118 closer to an edge 124 of playing board 100 closer to the opponent than to the player having pawn 116, at which point each pawn 116 is constrained to move one playing space 118 along a column or one playing space along a rank. Each pawn 116 is further always constrained against moving backwardly and constrained against moving diagonally.

The method includes randomly placing playing pieces 102 on predetermined initial playing spaces 118 with identity of each playing piece 102 except kings 104 concealed from view.

The method includes assigning a hypothetical identity associated with one of priorly described types of playing pieces 102 to each of the predetermined initial playing spaces. Meaning the initial move allowed for of each concealed piece is the move characteristic of the playing piece that would traditionally be placed at the playing space in a conventional game of chess. For example, the concealed piece in FIG. 1 placed in the rook position in FIG. 2 would initially move as a rook.

The method includes having the players alternatingly move one playing piece 118 from its respective said predetermined initial playing space 118 with move characteristics corresponding to the hypothetical identity of the playing piece 118 being moved as described above.

The method includes revealing a previously concealed actual identity of the playing piece 118 which has just been initially moved, upon arrival of the playing piece 118 which has just been moved at a newly occupied playing space 118 of that playing piece 118. The revealed playing piece remains revealed during the remainder of the game.

The method includes continuing play by having each player alternatingly move said playing pieces 118, one playing piece 118 moved per turn.

The method includes removing from playing board 100 any playing piece 118 which has been captured by an opponent. Capture occurs when a playing piece 118 moves into and occupies a playing space 118 currently occupied by another player's playing piece 118.

The method includes continuing play with moves made alternatingly by the players until one king 104 is stalemated, wherein king 104 is not directly subject to capture, but will become obliged on a subsequent move to move to a location subject to capture, or inescapably subject to capture by a legal move by an opponent of the player having king 104, or alternatively, a draw defined by agreement prior to play has been achieved.

Playing board 100 refers to the matrix of playing spaces 118, and does not necessarily encompass a border extending beyond or outside playing spaces 118.

In FIG. 1, some but not all playing spaces 118 are labeled by reference numeral. Similarly, some but not all playing pieces are labeled by reference numeral.

Predetermined zones 120 occupied by kings 104 have been identified by reference numeral only in FIG. 2. Predetermined zones 120 have been indicated by large scale cross hatching in both FIGS. 1 and 2.

Edges 124 are the outermost perimetric bounds of two opposed sides of playing board 100, and form outermost bounds of that rank initially occupied by king 104, queens 106, bishops 108, knights 110, and rooks 112. These playing pieces are called out by reference numerals only in FIG. 1.

It should be noted that FIG. 2 illustrates the hypothetical identity of playing pieces 118 shown inverted in FIG. 1, with all identities except that of kings 104 concealed. Playing spaces 102 shown occupied in FIG. 2 are the predetermined initial playing spaces referred to previously. As previously mentioned, characteristics of an initial move of each playing piece 118 from its original position shown in FIG. 1 is determined by the type of playing piece 118 identified in the initial or original positions shown in FIG. 2. For example, a playing piece 118 having its identity concealed and occupying a playing space 118 shown in FIG. 2 as occupied by a knight 110 would be initially moved in the manner of knight 110 regardless of the concealed identity. Upon landing at a final playing space 118, playing piece 102 is inverted to reveal the previously concealed identity. That playing piece will in subsequent turns have move characteristics of the revealed identity.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as forwardly, backwardly, diagonally, vertical, and horizontal refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. Columns refer to linear arrays of playing spaces 118 extending vertically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Ranks refer to linear arrays of playing spaces 118 extending horizontally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The term forwardly refers to a direction away from that king 104 associated with (on the same team as) the playing piece 118 said to move forwardly. Similarly, the term backwardly refers to a direction towards that king 104 associated with the playing piece said to move backwardly. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention in any particular way.

Knights 110 move similarly to knights in conventional chess in that they typically move in the shape of a “L”, with the exception that knight 110 in the novel game does not have the ability to jump over a playing piece 118 on the first space of the of the long leg of the “L” in a path of knight 110 being moved. If the final playing space 118 in the move of knight 110 is occupied by a playing piece 118 of the opponent, that playing piece 118 is captured by knight 110. If a playing piece 118 of the same team as knight 110 occupies the final playing space 118, the intended move is not permitted.

In the method, the draw may be determined by a situation existing wherein no king 104 can be stalemated or inescapably subject to capture by a legal move.

In the method, the draw may be determined by mutual agreement of the players.

In the method, the draw may be determined when fifty moves by the players do not result in any playing pieces 102 being captured.

In the method, the draw may be determined when a move by one player and a responsive move by another player are repeated three times.

In the method, the draw may be determined when the game is played under auspices of a sponsor, and the sponsor declares the game drawn.

In the method, for each team, the plurality of playing pieces 102 each to be placed initially on predetermined playing spaces 118 of playing board 100 include a king 104 initially occupying a center playing space 118 of a rank abutting edge 124 of playing board 100; two queens 106 initially occupying two playing spaces 118 immediately surrounding king 104, on the rank abutting edge 124 of playing board 100; two bishops 108 initially occupying two playing spaces 118 adjacent playing spaces 118 occupied by the two queens 106; two rooks 112 initially occupying two playing spaces 118 adjacent playing spaces 118 occupied by the two bishops 108; two knights 110 initially occupying two playing spaces 118 adjacent said playing spaces 118 occupied by the two rooks 112; two cannons 114 initially occupying two said playing spaces 118 each on a common column as one knight 110, and each spaced apart from a respective said knight 110 by one said playing space 118; and five said pawns 116 initially occupying five said playing spaces 118 each on a common column as each of the two rooks 112. Each of the two bishops 108, and king 104, and each pawn 116 is spaced apart from a respective rook 112 or a respective bishop 108 or king 104 by two playing spaces 118.

Each playing piece may be assigned a point value. Point values may be utilized for example to determine the winner of the novel game as of a specific time interval of play, or to break what would otherwise be a draw, or for still other purposes.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 

I claim:
 1. A method of playing a board game, comprising steps of: providing a playing board displaying a plurality of playing spaces arrayed in ten ranks and nine columns orthogonally oriented to said ranks, such that the playing board has ninety said playing spaces, each adjacent to at least two other said playing spaces, and a plurality of playing pieces for use with the playing board, each said playing piece dimensioned and configured to occupy only one said playing space at any one time, and said playing spaces include for each player a predetermined zone of nine said playing spaces, arrayed in a matrix of three spaces by three spaces, each said predetermined zone abutting an edge of the playing board, and facing the other said predetermined zone of playing spaces; a plurality of playing pieces each having a concealed face and a revealed face to be placed initially on predetermined said playing spaces of the playing board, and to move as play progresses from one said playing space to another said playing space; among the playing pieces, providing one king for each opponent and constraining each said king to move one said playing space and only one said playing space in a move along a said rank or along one said column, each said king constrained against leaving its respective said predetermined zone and constrained against facing an opposed said king unless another said playing piece intervenes between said kings; providing two queens for each opponent and constraining each said queen to move only diagonally relative to said ranks and said columns a distance of one said playing space for each move; providing two bishops for each opponent and constraining each said bishop to move only diagonally relative to said ranks and said columns a distance of two said playing spaces for each move, and wherein said bishops are constrained against jumping over any said playing piece when moving; providing two rooks for each opponent and constraining each said rook to move any number of said playing spaces, only along any one said rank or along any one said column during any one move; providing two cannons for each opponent and constraining each said cannon to move any number of said playing spaces, only along any one said rank or along any one said column during any one move, each move by said cannon requiring a jump over one other said playing piece; providing two knights for each opponent and constraining each said knight to move a distance of two said playing space along a said rank and a distance of one said playing spaces along a said column, or alternatively, constraining said knight to move a distance of two said playing space along a said column and a distance of one said playing spaces along a said rank, and wherein said knights are constrained against jumping over any intervening said playing piece occupying a first one of said two playing spaces along the column and are constrained against jumping over any intervening said playing piece occupying a first one of said two playing spaces along the rank; providing five pawns for each opponent and constraining each said pawn to move one said playing space forwardly along a said column until each said pawn has entered a playing space closer to an edge of said playing board closer to the opponent than to the player having the pawn, at which point each said pawn is constrained to move one said playing space along a said column or one said playing space along a said rank, and each said pawn is further always constrained against moving backwardly and constrained against moving diagonally; randomly placing said the concealed face of playing pieces on predetermined initial said playing spaces with identity of each said playing piece except said kings concealed from view; assigning a hypothetical identity associated with one of priorly described types of playing pieces to each of the predetermined initial playing spaces; having the players alternatingly move one said playing piece from its respective said predetermined initial playing space with move characteristics corresponding to the hypothetical identity of the said playing piece being moved; revealing the revealed face of a the playing piece previously concealed of the playing piece which has just been initially moved, upon arrival of the playing piece which has just been moved to a newly occupied said playing space of that said playing piece; maintaining the revealed face of said playing piece during the rest of the game after the initial move of said playing piece; continuing play by having each player alternatingly move said playing pieces, one playing piece moved per turn; removing from the playing board any said playing piece which has been captured by an opponent, wherein capture occurs when a said playing piece moves into and occupies a said playing space currently occupied by another player's said playing piece; and continuing play with moves made alternatingly by the players until one said king is stalemated, wherein said king is not directly subject to capture, but will become obliged on a subsequent move to move to a location subject to capture, or inescapably subject to capture by a legal move by an opponent of the player having the king, or alternatively, a draw defined by agreement prior to play has been achieved.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the draw is determined by a situation existing wherein no king can be stalemated or inescapably subject to capture by a legal move.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the draw is determined by mutual agreement of the players.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the draw is determined when fifty moves by the players do not result in any said playing pieces being captured.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the draw is determined when a move by one player and a responsive move by another player are repeated three times.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the draw is determined when the game is played under auspices of a sponsor, and the sponsor declares the game drawn.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hypothetical identity of plurality of playing pieces each to be randomly placed initially on predetermined said playing spaces of the playing board include: a said king initially occupying a center said playing space of a rank abutting an edge of the playing board, two said queens initially occupying two said playing spaces immediately surrounding the king, on the rank abutting the edge of the playing board, two said bishops initially occupying two said playing spaces adjacent said playing spaces occupied by the two queens, two said rooks initially occupying two said playing spaces adjacent said playing spaces occupied by the two bishops, two said knights initially occupying two said playing spaces adjacent said playing spaces occupied by the two rooks, two said cannons initially occupying two said playing spaces each on a common column as one said knight, and each spaced apart from a respective said knight by one said playing space, and five said pawns initially occupying five said playing spaces each on a common column as each of the two rooks, each of the two bishops, and the king, and each said pawn spaced apart from a respective said rook or a respective said bishop or the king by two said playing spaces. 